Stapling machine



Jan. 14,` `1941. w, G, PANKONIN: 2,228,778 s'rAPLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 195s v sweets-sheet 1 Jan- 14, 1941- w. G. PANKoNlN 2,223,778

STAPLING MACHINE Filed July e, 1958 s shuts-sheet 2 j 2 2A A f 4,71 9% 7;., g lnllam GFamm-L Fig-5.. BY uw ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in stapling machines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a stapling machine having a novel construction of the housing and locking member for the staple driving mechanism whereby the driving mechanism may be assembled and maintained in position without use of screws, rivets or like fastening devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stapling machine having means controlled by the action of the driving mechanism to flatly clinch the legs of the staple after they have penetrated the material to be stapled. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a stapling machine having a novel construction of the base thereof so that the base and its associated anvil may be swung clear of the staple carrying arm and driving mechanism permitting the device to be used as a tacker.

Another object of the invention is tb provide a stapling machine having a novel construction of the riser member to hold the staple driving mechanism in spaced relation to the clinching anvil; a novel construction of the means for detachably securing the staple feeder mechanism in position; a novel construction for the core of the staple magazine; and a novel construction of the cover member for the feeder mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a stapling machine wherein the construction of the ejection chute for staples, the staple driving tool and the guiding means for the driving tool cooperate to permit the use of varying gauge staples without jamming the machine.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in side elevation showing a stapling machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view, partly in section, showing the riser mechanism and sliding camsupport for the flat stitch mechanism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the pivoted anvils of the flat stitch mechanism in initial staple leg bending position;

Figure 4 is a. sectional view taken along line 4--4 of Figure 1 with the cover and anvils omitted for the sake of simplicity and clearness;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation, with parts being shown in section, showing the iiat stitch mechanism positioned as at the completion of the driving stroke;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in top elevation, with parts being omitted for the sake of simplicity and clearness, showing the xed anvil and pivoted anvils of the iiat stitch mechanism in iiattening position;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'I-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in rear elevation and with parts omitted, showing the construction of the rear of the housing and staple driving plunger;

Figure 9 is a perspective detail view showing the fixed anvil and one of the pivoted anvils of the flat stitch mechanism;

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective detail view showing the locking plate for the staple driving mechanism; and

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section showing the construction of the ejection chute and of the magazine.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section showing the construction of the driving edge of the staple driving tool 51 shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the stapling machine comprises generally a base l to which is pivoted the staple carrying arm 2. Positioned on the forward end of the base I are the xed and pivoted anvils of the flat stitch mechanism 3. Carried on the forward end of the staple carrying arm 2 is the staple driving mechanism 4 which is cooperable with the anvils of the iiat stitch mechanism 3 to drive staples from the staple carrying arm 2 through material to be stapled and to flatly clinch the legs of the staple on the under side of the material. The stapling machine is designed to' be constructed from sheet metal parts stamped or struck up in dies to render the machine light in weight and economical to manufacture, although the various parts may be otherwise constructed.

The base The base I is of general inverted dish shape and is enlarged both as to depth and width at the rear portion thereof to provide operating space for the riser 5 and bell-crank 6, and sliding cam support of the iiat stitch mechanism. Struck up from the upper rear portion of the base are upright projections 1 forming brackets for the pivotal support of the staple carrying arm 2. In between the brackets, the top surface, and a portion of the rear edge of the base are cut away, as indicated at 8, to provide operating space for the purposes hereinafter set forth. Adjacent one bracket 1, the top surface of the base is provided with a slot 9 through which the bell-crank 6 operates.

Forward of the brackets 1, the underneath portion of the base I is provided with two spaced bearings I formed by bending down the metal of the base. 'I'he bearings IIJ form a support for the riser which comprises an elongated member having laterally projecting axes II, centrally located and operatively positioned in the bearings I0. The rearward end of the riser is bent upwardly as at I2 and projects through the operating space 8. The forward end of the riser is formed with a flat portion I3 offset so as to be spaced from the under portion of the top of the base. Between the offset portion I3 and the under portion of the top of the base is positioned a compression spring I4 held in place by centering knobs formed in the metal of the respective parts. The effect of the spring is to continually urge the upturned end I2 of the riser upwardly. The upturned edge I2 presses against the bottom of the staple carrying arm 2 forward of the pivotal connections I5 to maintain the forward end of the staple carrying arm raised from the fiat stitch mechanism 3 a suflicient distance to permit material to be stapled to be readily inserted therebetween. The riser 5 in this position comes to reset with the material of the upper side thereof contacting the lower surface of the upper part of the base. The staple carrying arm 2 may be elevated beyond the raised position of the riser 5, as will be later described.

The forward half of the base is narrower in width and depth than the rear. On the top surface of the forward portion is suitably riveted in place the fixed anvil I6 of the fiat stitch mechanism 3. At each end of the fixed anvil the surface of the base is provided with apertures I1 through which the curved positioning fingers I8 of the pivoted anvil members I9 operate. Positioned within the narrower end of the base Iand below the fixed anvil I6 is a saddle 20. The saddle 20 may be held in place by having the ends 2| thereof uptumed and riveted or otherwise secured to the side walls of the base I. The saddle provides a support for the sliding cam 22 of the at stitch mechanism 3, as will be hereinafter more fully described. On the top surface of the forward end of the base, positioned forwardly and in alignment with the fixed anvil I6 -is a material guide 23 having its forward side sloped as indicated. Positioned within the forward and rearward ends of the base are rubber foot pads 24, which project below the bottom of the base I, whereby the machine can be supported without injury to Y desk tops or the like.

Staple carrying arm magazine. Positioned on the upper surface of the inner inverted channel 26 is a staple track 29 made of a single strip of material formed or counter sunk on its upper surface to provide clearance space for rivet heads. The track 29 may also be attached to channel 26 by spot welding or otherwise. At the rearward end of the channel 25 the metal comprising the sides 21, instead of being formed upwardly, extends laterally of the bottom portion of channel 25 to a point spaced suciently from the sides 21 to provide stability and operating clearance when the arm 2 is pivoted to the brackets 1. The ends 30 of these longitudinally extending portions are bent upwardly and are perforated to receive rivets or other securing means by which the staple carrying arm 2 is pivoted to the brackets 1. At the rear of the channel member 25, the sides of the inner inverted channel member 26 are cut away so as to form a sloping edge running from the bottom end point of the main channel to a point on the top of the inner channel just short of the rar end of the staple track. At the forward end thereof, the sides 21 extend beyond the forward edges of the inner channel 26 and staple carrying track 29 a distance substantially equal to the widest or heaviest material used in making staples to be ejected through the device. On these' extended edges of the sides 21 there are formed forwardly projecting tabs 3|. The forward edges of the inturned flanges 28 are recessed or spaced from the wall 32 to permit the staple driving tool 51 to have free reciprocal sliding movement while guiding it in close proximity to said wall.

At the forward end of the magazine and below the flanges 28 is positioned the ejection or discharge chute for staples. It is proposed to make the chute of sufficient thickness to permit the use of staples made from varying gauges of wire stock. To this end, the forward edges 98 of the staple track or guide 29 and inverted inner channel 26 are spaced rearwardly from the wall 32 a greater distance than the forward edges of flanges 28. 'I'he spacing may be slightly less than the combined thicknesses of two staples of the smallest gauge of wire stock desired to be used. As shown in Figure 11, the foremost staple is held entirely within the ejection chute by the pressure of the succeeding staples, while the second foremost staple is partially within the ejection chute and partially within the magazine and resting on the forwardY edge of the guide 29. With this construction staples made of wire stock slightly less than twice the gauge of the smallest stock desired can also be used in the machine. It is preferable to make the thickness of the tool 51 substantially equal to the thickness of the stock of the smallest staplefor which the machine is designed. When so constructed the edge of the driving tool 51 is beveled as shown at 99 in Figures 1 and 12 to hold the bridge of the staple firmly against wall 32 during the driving action. It is not necessary to make the tool so thin. When constructed of thicker material it is proposed to supply the edge with a double bevel as illustrated at |00 in Figure 11. The forward bevel maintains the foremost staple in sliding contact with the wall 32 while the rearward bevel wedges the second staple rearwardly toward the magazine, permitting the driving tool to descend and drive the staples without jamming. It is understood that the rearward wall of the ejection chute comprises the next succeeding staple ...INCL

which is constantly urged forward by the feeder mechanism hereinafter described.

The housing H for the staple driving mechanism 4 is carried at the forward end of the staple carrying arm 2. It comprises a forward wall 32. the lower inner surface of which rests against the extended edges of the sides 21 of the channel 25 to form the forward wall of the ejection chute. The forward wall 32 is perforated to receive the extended tabs 3|. Projecting rearwardly from the forward wall 32 and at the lower portion thereof arel elongated arms 33 overlapping the sides 21. The rearward ends of arms 33 are perforated to snap over and receive therein lugs 34 formed outwardly on the sides 21. The sides 21 also have struck out therefrom clamping tabs 35 which are bent down over the ends of the arms 33 to hold the same flush with the sides 21 and in tight position on the lugs 34.

Above the arms 33 and rearwardly from the front wall 32 are formed side walls 36; there being portions cut away as indicated at 31 to provide access to the ejection chute in the event staples are jammed therein. Formed inwardly on the rear edges of the side walls I36 are the rear walls 38. The opposedly related edges of the rear walls 38 are shaped as clearly indicated in Figure 8 to detachably receive the locking plate 39 (see Figure 10) A cover 40 is associated with the staple driving mechanism housing and the magazine. The lower ends of the forward edge of the sides of the cover 40 have projecting lugs 4| which grip under the bottom edges of the rear walls 38. The remaining portion of the forward edges lie flush with the rear surfaces of the rear walls 38. The top of the cover is spaced from the rear surface of the rear walls 38 to provide clearance for the locking plate 39. The top of the cover slopes generally in a reverse curved line from the top forward edge to the rearward edge; there being on the inner surfaces of the rearward part of the side walls projecting nipples (not shown) having a spring fit with the recesses 42 formed on projections 43 on walls 21 of channel 25. Thus the cover is readily snapped and maintained in position.

Within the cover member 40 is a feeder mechanism which is a modification of the feeder mechanism disclosed in the application of William G. Pankonin, Serial No. 47,596, filed October 1, 1935. The feeder mechanism comprises a staple follower 44, a follower rod 45 and coiled compression spring 46, a spring connection block 41, a second rod 48 and coiled compression spring 49, and a retaining clip 58. The follower 44 is of inverted U-shaped cross-section and rides on the staple track 29. On the top of the follower 44 is fixed an inverted U-shaped member the ends of which are provided with aligned apertures adapted to slidably receive the follower rod 45. The forward end of the follower rod 45 is headed to prevent the U-shaped member 5| from sliding off. To the rearward end of the follower rod 45 is secured, by means of a rivet or otherwise, the spring connection block 41. The spring connection block 41 has a lower opening running longitudinally thereof, and `an upper opening immediately above and spaced from the lower opening also running longitudinally of said block. The openings are countersunk from opposite ends of the block to provide sufficient space for the coiled compression springs 46-49 encircling the respective follower rods 45--48. Interposed between the guide member 5| and fitting within the lower iii- Adil opening of the connection block 41 is a coiled compression spring 46. The second follower rod 48 is slidably held within the upper opening in the spring connection block 41. The forward end of rod 41 is headed. To the rearward end of this rod is affixed the clip 58. Interposed between the clip 58 and connection block 41 and encircling the rod 48 and fitting within the upper opening of the spring connection block 41, is a coil compression spring 49. The clip 58 has a fixed jaw member which comprises an upwardly extending lug riveted or otherwise secured to the end of follower rod 48. The lower portion of the upright member extends rearwardly and is bent back upon itself to form a forwardly projecting slide jaw 52 adapted to rest against the top surface of the extending portion of channel 26. Intermediate the ends of the jaw 52 are two downwardly projecting brackets 53 having apertures therein. A lower snap jaw 54 is pivoted intermediate its ends to the brackets 53. The forward end of the snap jaw 54 has an arrow-head latch fittable within the aperture 55 formed in the rear top of channel 26. Interposed between the rear ends of jaws 52 and 54 is a compression spring 55.

When the follower mechanism is inserted in the magazine, the follower is urged forwardly under the tension in spring 46. The tension in spring 46 is communicated to the spring connection block 41 which in turn communicates the tension to the compression spring 49, which itself is urged forwardly from the rear end of the follower rod 48. It can be readily seen that when the magazine is lled to capacity and the springs 46-49 fully compressed, they will be substantially contained within the recessed openings in the block 41 in overlapping relationship. With this construction the total overall length of the space occupied by the springs when compressed will be substantially half the space required by a single spring having a suflcient number of coils to urge the follower with sufficient force to the extreme forward end of the ejection chute. Hence, the effective capacity of the magazine is enlarged. The compression in both springs is communicated to the clip 58 which is adequately held from movement by interlocking with the aperture 55 in the extended portion of the channel 26. To remove the staple feeder mechanism it is only necessary to compress the spring 55 releasing the clip 58 from its hold, whereupon the entire assembly may be withdrawn rearwardly from the magazine.

Staple driving mechanism The staple driving mechanism comprises a hollow plunger 56 having secured at the lower forward end thereof a staple driving tool 51. The plunger 56 is reciprocal within the housing H to cause the driver blade or tool 51 to engage and force the staples urged into the ejection chute from the magazine under the urge of the feeder mechanism and drive the same through the ejection chute against the clinching anvil 3. The forward wall 32 of the housing H has an outwardly pressed portion 58 providing an operating space for a lug 59 formed on the forward wall of the plunger 56. These portions form between them an upper abutment limiting the reciprocal movement of the plunger 56 within the housing H. Positioned on the top of the plunger 56 is a cap 60 adapted to receive manual pressure for communication to the plunger proper. Within the plunger 56 is a coil compression spring 6| for urging the same to its raised position. The

H HUUB plunger 56 is preferably formed in rectangular cross-section by folding sheet metal; the meeting edges of the metal forming a part of the rear wall of the plunger. On one of these edges is formed a. raised portion 62 being provided with teeth forming the ratchet of a full stroke mechanism; the top end of this portion being bent as indicated at 63 to form a cam tooth. 'I'he distance between the front and rear walls of the upper portion of the plunger 56 is less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the front wall 32 and rear wall 38 of the housing H. On its lower portion the plunger 56 is enlarged to provide a sliding bearing for the plunger between the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls 32-38 of the housing H.

To provide a top bearing for the plunger 56, a support lfor the detent 64 forming a part of the full stroke mechanism, and a support for the compression spring 6|, there is provided a locking plate 39 formed as is shown in Figure 10. The locking plate 39 comprises a flat portion 65 adapted to rest against the outer surface of the rear wall 38. At the top of the plate 39 is provided a hook 66, the width of hook 66 being substantially identical with the distance between the inner surfaces of the side .walls 36. The outer surface of hook 66 provides the rear top bearing for the .plunger 56. The lower edge of plate 39 is provided with an inwardly projecting portion 61 having formed on its inner edge a spring centering tongue 68. At the juncture of the flat portion 65 and the portion 61, there are provided two sets of notches 69 and 10, each set comprising opposedly related symmetrically positioned notches. The purpose of the deep notches 69 is to permit the portion 61 to slide down between the edges of the rear walls 38. The purposes of the shallower notches 10 is to provide projections ttable within the notches 1I formed in the edges of the rear walls 38, establishing a positive lock for the locking plate against upward movement. The positive lock is only necessary when the plate is used in connection with the full stroke mechanism hereinafter described. When the ratchet 62 is in engagement with the detent 64, the plunger 56, the locking plate 39, and the spring 6| becomes one unit, and the spring 6| becomes inoperative to force the locking plate 39 downwardly relative to the housing H. However, the full-stroke mechanism may .be eliminated from the device and also the positive lock (projections 10 and notches 1I). Without the lfull-stroke mechanism the spring 6I continually urges the locking Iplate 39 downwardly relative to housing H.

In assembling the plunger 56 and plate 39 into the housing H, the coil compression spring 6| is fitted within the plunger 56 and over the spring centering tongue 68. As the plate 39 and plunger 56 are inserted from the top of the housing H, the fiat portion 65 rides outside of the housing with the edges on the rear walls 38 sliding in the notches 1.29. When the lug 59 reaches the top edge of the housing H, the plunger 56 is forced rearwardily and downwardly with the hook 66 remaining outside of the housing H yuntil the lug 59 is received in the outwardly pressed portion 58, whereupon the plunger 56 is moved forwardly in the housing H, yand the hook 66 inserted between the rear of 'the plunger 56 and the inner surface of the rear walls 38 of the housing. The -plate 39 is then moved downwardly to the limit of the hook 66, whereupon the tension in spring 6| will cause the inwardly projecting portion 61 to move outwardly of the housing H so that the projections formed by the shallower notches 10 t within the notches 1I, locking the plate 39 and plunger 6| in operable position within the housing.

To disassemble the plunger 6| and plate 39 from the housing H, it is only necessary to Inanually force the lower end of the plate 39 inwardly until the notches 69 register with the edges of the rear walls 38, whereupon the plate 39 may be slid upwardly against the tension in the coil compression spring 6| until the hook 66 clears the top of the housing H. The hook 66 may then be moved rearwardly or laterally clear of the housing, freeing the plunger 56 for rearward movement thereby permitting the lug 59 to be clear of the pressed out portion 58 and the plunger withdrawn.

On the rear portion of the locking plate 39 there lare two spaced rearwardly projecting brackets 12 for holding the shaft 13 upon which the detent 64 is swivelly mounted. A coil spring 14 is provided on the shaft to urge the detent 64 inwardly toward the ratchet 62 on the plunger 56 and laterally to one side. 'Ihe detent 64 is engageable with the ratche't 62 through an aperture 15 provided in the locking plate 39 and through the space between the oppositely related edges of the rear walls 38.

Flat switch mechanism TheV flat stitch mechanism is described and claimed in the application of William G. Pankonin, Serial No. 320,326, `filed February 23, 1940, and comprises a fixed anvil I6, the form of which is clearly illustrated in Figure 9. Extending long-itudinally and centrally of the top surface of the fixed anvil is a staple guiding groove 16. 'I'he fixed anvil is secured to the top surface of the forward end of the base I with the groove 16 in alignment with the ejection chute of the staple carrying arm 2 by means of lugs 11 formed on the lower edges of the fixed anvil 16 and riveted to the base. Pivotally secured to the xed anvil I6 are movable anvils |9. The movable anvils I9 are duplicates in construction and size; each comprises a body portion having extending laterally thereof two spaced fingers 18 having apertures for receiving a shaft 19 yby which anvil I9 is pivota-lly secured to the fixed anvil I6. A portion of the surface of the body portion is sloped as indicated -at so that with the anvil I9 disposed at an angle upwardly of the vsurface of the fixed anvil I6, the sloped portion 80 will be substantially horizontal. On the top of the body portion the anvil I9 is provided with a staple guiding groove 8| so positioned as to be in alignment with .the guiding groove 16 in the fixed anvil I6 when the .pivoted anvil I9 is lowered to its horizontal position. The groove 8| is in lalign-- ment with the ejection chute of the staple carrying .arm 2 and is of an extent suicient to receive the leg of the staple as it penetrates through the material.

The sloped portions 88 of the pivoted anvils I9 when in their raised position provide at surfaces against which the material to be stapled rests during the initial driving of the staple. To maintain the pivoted anvils I9 in raised position there is provided on each anvil I9 a. curved flnger I8 projectingdownwardly from the outer edge of the body portion. The fingers I8 operate through apertures I1 provided in the base I and are cooperable with the camming and flat surface of the slidable cam 22. With the pivoted anvils I9 in raised position and with the nngers I8 resting on the fiat surface of the sliding cam 22, the legs of staples as they are forced through material by the action of the staple driving tool 51 will strike against the grooves 8| and be deflected inwardly and an initial bend placed on them. After the initial bend has been formed on the legs of the staple, it is desirable to permit the pivoted anvils I9 to resume a horizontal position with the guiding grooves 8| in alignment with the guiding groove 16 so that further driving action will atly press the legs of the staple against the under surface of the material being stapled. To accomplish this end, the sliding cam 22 is controlled by the action of the staple driving mechanism 4 so that it will be moved rearwardly after a desired portion of the driving stroke has occurred. The rearward movement permits the curved fingers I8 to slide down the sloping face 82 .and the pivoted anvils I9 assume a horizontal position resting atly on the upper surface of the base I.

The forward end of the sliding cam 22 is held in position by the saddle 29 and is guided by a slot and pin arrangement 83 to maintain it in accurate alignment with the curved fingers I8. Rearwardly and to one side of the forward end of the cam slide 22 there is provided an extending arm 84 running within the interior of the base I to a point substantially below one of the brackets 1. Secured to the outer surface of one of the brackets 1 by means of a pivot 85 is the bell-crank 6. 'Ihe lower arm of the bell-crank 6 projects through the aperture 9 in the top portion of the base I and is pivoted to the end of arm 84. The upper arm of the bell-crank 6 is positioned above the surface of the base I and extends forwardly of the pivot 85 to engage with the operating arm 86 carried on the side of the staple carrying arm 2. Positioned on the side of the staple carrying arm 2 are -three longitudinally spaced bearings 81 in which is rotatably supported a transmission rod 88. At the rear end of the rod 88 is secured by means of a dowel pin (not shown) the operating arm 86 which extends outwardly from the side of the staple carrying arm 2 and has its operating end in alignment with the upper arm of the bell-crank. At the forward end of the rod 88 is secured in a similar manner an operating trigger 89 so positioned as to extend upwardly along the side 36 of the housing H. The end of trigger 89 is sloped to provide a cam for cooperation with a camming member 90 slidably carried on the side wall 36. The cam member 90 is secured to the side wall 36 by means of grooves 9| provided in opposite sides thereof and cooperable with retaining lugs 92 riveted to the side wall 36. The upper end of the camming member 90 is provided with an upwardly extending connecting arm 93 spaced from the side wall 36. An elongated slot 94 is provided on arm 93. Secured to the cap 60 and extending downwardly therefrom in substantial alignment with the side 36 is .a driving rod 95, the lower end of which lies between the arm 93 and the side wall 36 and is provided with an adjusting screw 96 fitting within the slot 94.

The cam member 90 by means of the adjusting screw 96, can be so adjusted upwardly or downwardly as to vary the point at which the trigger 89 will be operated relative to the full movement of the plunger 56. A coil spring 91 is provided on the under surface of the base I and is positioned to continually urge the sliding cam 22 forward.

In the operation of the device just described,

material is inserted between the surfaces 88 of the pivoted anvils I9 and the staple carrying arm 2. As pressure is applied to the operating cap 69, the arm 2 is depressed against the urge in spring I4 compressing the material tightly between it and the surfaces 8D. Continued pressure on the cap causes the plunger 56 to move downwardly, whereupon the driving blade 51 engages the bridge of a staple (positioned in the ejection chute under the urge of the feeder mechanism) and forces the same downwardly so that the legs penetrate through the material and engage ln the grooves 8| sloped relatively thereto. The engagement between the grooves 8| and the legs bends the legs inwardly as the staple is continued to be forced through the material. At a. predetermined time, depending upon the adjustment of camming member 99, the sloping surface thereof engages with the cam surface of the trigger 89, forcing it outwardly of the side 36, thereby applying torque to the transmission rod 88 causing the arm 86 to press against the upper arm of the bell-crank 6 which in turn causes the lower arm of the bell-crank 6 to move rearwardly drawing with it (and overcoming the force in spring 91) the sliding cam 22. 'I'he rearward movement of the sliding cam 22 causes the sloping surf-ace 82 on the forward end thereof to come in alignment with the curved fingers I8 of the movable anvils I9. The pressure exerted on the wardly permitting the pivoted anvils I9 to assume ya flat position on the surface of the base. Thereafter, continued pressure asserted on the plunger 59 will flatten the curved portion of the legs of the staple and clinch the legs flatly and tightly against the under portion of the material.

The present device may be used as a tacker machine by swinging the base I counter-clockwise (as viewed in Figure l) about its pivotal connection with the staple carrying arm 2. As previously described, the rear portion of the base is cut away at 8 so as to provide clearance space for the feeder mechanism and end of the cover member 48 permitting the base to swing through a turn in excess of degrees. In swinging the base and using the machine as a tacker the mechanism operating the fiat-stitch is not disturbed. The operating arm 86 will lift away from the bell crank 6 when the `device is converted from a stapling machine to a tacker. It is not necessary to disconnect any portion of the mechanism for this operation.

While constructions in which this invention may be embodied have been shown and described, it is to be understood that these constructions have been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spiiit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a. stapling machine, a housing, a. plunger reciprocal in said housing, a. locking member having a bearing portion flttable between said plunger and said housing and a second portion projecting into said housing and in the path of said plunger, and a spring reacting between said plunger and said second portion -to urge said plunger upwardly, there being tongue and groove means between said member and said housing lockable under the inuence of said spring.

2. In a stapling machine, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, abutment means limiting the relative reciprocal movement between said plunger and said housing and disengageable when said plunger is moved laterally within said housing, a member insertable between said housing and said plunger to prevent suflicient lateral movement of said plunger to disengage said abutment means, a spring for urging said plunger upwardly, and tongue and groove means operable under the inuence of said spring to lock said member to said housing.

3. In a stapling machine, a housing, a slot in one wall of said housing, a hollow plunger reciprocal in said housing, said plunger having an enlarged lower portion forming a. bearing therefor, means between said plunger and housing to limit the reciprocal movement of said plunger relative to said housing, said means being disengageable upon lateral movement of the upper portion of said plunger, a locking plate having a spring support portion provided with a groove adapted to receive the edge of said slot and a bearing portion ttable between the upper portion of said plunger and said housing, a compression spring between said plunger and spring support portion, and notch and key means between said locking plate and said housing maintained in engagement by the reaction of said spring.

4. In a stapling device, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, a full stroke mechanismior said plunger comprising a ratchet and detent, a plate providing a support for one element of said full stroke mechanism, means for detachably locking said plate to said housing, and a spring for urging said plunger upwardly, said spring reacting on said means to maintain said plate in locked position.

5. In a stapling machine, a base having upright spaced brackets, a staple carrying arm pivoted to said brackets and adapted -to form a magazine for staples, said arm comprising an elongated sheet of metal having a bottom portion formed with a centrally and longitudinally extending inverted channel, side walls formed upwardly from the outer edges of said bottom portion, inturned anges on the top edges of said side walls, a staple track secured to the top of said inverted channel and spaced from said walls and flanges; said side walls terminating at a point spaced from the pivoted end of said arm, said bottom portion at the pivoted end of said arm extending laterally beyond the confines of said walls and being provided with upright brackets, and pins pivotally connecting the brackets of said arm to the brackets of said base.

6. In a stapling machine, a base, a staple carrying arm pivoted to said base and providing a magazine for staples, feeding mechanism for urging staples forwardly in said magazine comprising a staple follower operable in said magazine and a spring for actuating said follower, said follower and spring projecting above said magazine, a housing carried on said arm at the forward end of said magazine, staple driving mechanism in said housing, a cover for said feeder mechanism having a top portion sloping from the top of said housing to the rear of said magazine and side portions extending from the -top portion to the upper surface of said magazine, there being tooth and notch means between the forward edges of said side portion and said housing, said side portion at the rear of said cover being frictionally engageable with portions of said magazine.

7. In a stapling machine, a staple carrying arm providing a magazine for staples, staple driving mechanism mounted on said arm, and a housing for said mechanism, said arm having projecting tabs at the forward end thereof and laterally projecting lugs formed onthe sides thereof, said housing having a forward wall and lower side arms, said forward wall having apertures registrable with said tabs, said arms having perforations registrable with said lugs, said arms being formed to yieldably urge toward the sides of said arm, and clamping tabs to maintain said arms against said sides.

8. In a stapling machine, a base, a staple carrying arm pivoted at one end to said base, and staple driving mechanism carried by said arm, said arm forming a magazine for staples and comprising an elongated bottom portion having integrally formed longitudinally and centrally for the full extent thereof an upwardly projecting channel, said bottom portion having side walls spaced from said channel and extending thereabove, a staple track carried on the top of said channel, and inturned anges on said side walls overlying and spaced from said track.

9. In a stapling machine, a staple driving plunger, a housing for said plunger, spring means for returning said plunger to starting position, a plate acting as a bearing for said plunger, and locking means between said plate and said housing, said spring means also acting to hold said locking means in locked position.

10. In a stapling machine, a staple driving tool, a full stroke mechanism insuring a complete full stroke of said driving tool, a mounting member for one element of said mechanism detachably secured to said machine, and a spring for retaining said member in registered position, said spring also acting upon said tool to move it in one direction of its travel.

11. In a stapling device, a housing, a plunger having an offset portion acting as a bearing, a vertical sliding plate associated with the housing and having a portion in alinement with said offset portion and acting as a bearing for said plunger, and spring locked means for detachably securing said plate in position.

l2. In a stapling device, a driving tool for staples, means insuring a full stroke for said tool, a spring for said tool, a mounting for said means, said spring positioning said mounting.

13. In a stapling device, a staple driving tool, mounting means for said tool, a spring for retracting said tool, a hook member for supporting one end of said spring, means for detachably securing said member to said mounting means, said spring also retaining said member and said mounting means in secured position.

14. In a stapling device, a channel member, a staple driving tool, guiding means for said tool mounted on and straddling the sides of said member, said channel member having a portion struck out from the material thereof and overlapping said guiding means to hold said guiding means in close registry with said channel member.

15. In a stapling device, a staple driving plunger, a housing for guiding said plunger including walls. said plunger slidably tted within said walls, a portion of said housing and a portion of said plunger acting as stop means to prevent said plunger from being removed from -said housing, a spacing member for retaining said stop means in abutting relation, the abutting relation of said stop means being destroyed upon removal ofsaid spacing member to allow removal of said plunger.

16. In a stapling machine, a staple carrying arm, a housing thereon for a staple driving mechanism, a cover plate having at one end positioning means cooperating with said housing for retaining said plate in position and at the other end having frictional clamping means cooperating with said arm to removably hold said cover in position on said arm.

17. In a stapling device, an ejection chute for preformed staples having front and rear guiding means, a driving tool for the staples having front and rear guiding means, said front guiding means for said chute and tool being substantially in alignment and said rear guiding means for said chute being spaced to the rear of the guiding means of said tool.

18. In a stapling device, a magazine core for preformed staples, an ejection chute consisting of a forward guide member and the end of said core, a driving tool for driving staples through said chute, and forward and rearward guiding means for said tool, said rearward guiding means being positioned forward of the end of said core.

19. In a stapling machine, an ejection chute having a ilat forward wall, a magazine for staples adapted to feed the staples into said chute and against said wall, and a driving tool slida-bly guided against said wall, said tool having its driving edge provided with a beveled portion sloping SEARCH ROO upwardly and outwardly to the side of said tool toward said wall whereby the bridge portion of staples being driven by said tool are urged against said Wall.

20. In a stapling machine, a forward wall, a magazine for staples having a core, an ejection chute of xed size defined by said wall and the end of said core, said magazine being adapted to feed staples into said chute and frictionally hold them against said wall, and a driving tool slidably guided by said wall, said tool having its driving edge provided with a beveled portion sloping upwardly and outwardly to the side of said tool adjacent said magazine whereby staples partially within said chute are urged rearwardly into said magazine as said tool moves downwardly through said chute.

21. In a stapling machine, a forward wall, a magazine for staples having a core, an ejection chute of fixed size dened by said wall and the end of said core, said magazine being adapted to feed staples into said chute and frictionally hold them against said wall, and a staple driving tool operable in said chute to drive staples therethrough, said tool having its driving edge beveled whereby as it descends upon staples in said chute said edge will positively engage one staple to drive the same and cause other staples in said chute to be forced back toward said magazine.

WILLIAM G. PANKONIN. 

